reflection and any vcm travel advice?

Bloops: 4 (well, 5 now....) Races: 4 (2 fulls, 1 half, 1 5miler, - 1 DNS…I was feeling under the weather and was so concentrated on deciding whether to run the race or not I didn’t realize it was Saturday not Sunday until I went to look up the start time on Sunday morning only to be greeted with race results #fail)Miles: 2450, plan to hit 2470 by the new yearPR: 5 mile

I’d probably describe 2013 as a year of fitting the running in. I was in 2 weddings (one destination!), started (and mostly survived) a new job, and moved. Because of all the moving and wedding travel I set pretty reasonable running goals of completing two marathons, rather than racing. The races did a good job of marking the transition in my life, the first was Blue Ridge which was a killer course but a great way to say good bye to living in VA, the second was NYC which was a dream come true and a great welcome home. Since I mostly cruised in NY (3:55…5min off my best), I know I need to go back one day. The time was fair given the extent of my speed work was telephone pole fartleks when running slowly got old.

The best running achievement of my year was probably joining a running club. I’m pretty shy so entering social situations where I know no one and they all know each other is pretty much my greatest fear. I don’t take advantage of the social events they have yet, but I guess I can make that a goal for 2014?

For running goals, I’m hoping for a healthy year with more racing (maybe some 5K action?) and to continue lazily working towards my goal of 50 states. I’ve got TN, VA, NJ, NY, PA, MD, and OH (how does DC fit in with this?). I just signed up for VT: Vermont City. The video of the race on the website got me to commit, I'm a sucker for those things. This will be a challenge because I’m traveling for work the week before, but I decided trying a new race in a new place would be more fun than doing NJ again.

Have any of you run Vermont City Marathon before? Any advice on where to stay? I like to have a room booked early and am debating just giving in and staying the race hotel or taking advantage of the college dorms that are half the price. Decisions decisions. Happy Running!

That's a lot of 'fitting em in' miles in 2013! I haven't run Vermont City but hear its well organized and very well supported by the community - lots of spectators (except for one small stretch on a highway). It's on my list of races to do at some point in life. Good luck with the running club. I know they help a lot of people be better runners.

That's a lot of 'fitting em in' miles in 2013! I haven't run Vermont City but hear its well organized and very well supported by the community - lots of spectators (except for one small stretch on a highway). It's on my list of races to do at some point in life. Good luck with the running club. I know they help a lot of people be better runners.

Thanks! I'll have to post a VCM race report assuming all goes well this spring.

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